Top Ten Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Kitchens are more than just kitchens. In the 21^st Century, as well as being places where food is prepared and clothes are washed, they’re also places where we entertain. Whether it’s a lazy Sunday brunch or a planned evening of food and friends, the kitchen has become the heart of the home.

As a result, there’s a lot more pressure to present a welcoming and ambient space – which can feel a bit like rowing upstream; so much goes on in the kitchen that it shows signs of wear and tear far quicker than any other room in the house. However, there are a few cheeky little tips you can use to give your kitchen some cheap, but effective, cosmetic surgery.

1)    Change your cabinet doors. Your kitchen cabinets are the first thing guests will notice; they take up the greatest surface area in most kitchens and face the front, putting a bit of a spotlight on stains, chips and damage. Simply replacing them will give your kitchen a cost-effective facelift.

2)    Get the paint out! It’s one of the most obvious things you can do, but many people shy away from it. Simply slapping a couple of coats of something colourful on exposed wall space is a great way to lift your kitchen out of the doldrums. Consider wipe-clean paint and, for any surfaces that are prone to mold, anti-fungal paint.

3)    Paint your tiles. Re-tiling a kitchen can be a big task – but tiles do tend to show up the dirt. Instead of getting out the grout, you can look for tile paint which can lift your kitchen’s spirits without too much effort.

4)    If you’ve got a fairly spacious kitchen, then you could consider installing an island cabinet and make the most of what you’ve got. Not only does it give you extra storage and extra work space, but island cabinets add a chic touch to your cooking HQ.

5)    Throw a little light on the subject. Have a look at your lighting: does it show off your kitchen to its best effect? You might want to consider buying brighter bulbs or getting new fittings. If the budget won’t stretch that far, then think about getting your hands on some stylish, ambient lamps and putting them in strategic places.

6)    Don’t forget the furniture! It doesn’t all have to be about the cabinets. You might have stools, chairs or a table in your kitchen – but are they looking tired? A lick of paint or a well-chosen wood-stain can really invigorate the furniture and cheer up the whole room. If you’re feeling really creative, you can investigate the world of decoupage.

7)    Be shelf-ish! Getting rid of wall cabinets and replacing them with shelves can add a sense of space to your kitchen. If you want to add a rustic touch, then look for reclaimed wood or, alternatively, if you lean towards a sleeker look, then consider stylish metal shelving or those that have a slick finish.

8)    Little things count. If you’re operating on a tight budget, then go for small things that can make a big impact. Replacing door knobs and drawer handles – perhaps with something a bit eye-catching – can be a cheap and effective way to add a bit of glitter to your surroundings.

9)    What’s jarring you? Take a look at those little storage devices that you tend to forget about, such as the sugar jar, the container you keep your tea and coffee in and your olive oil bottles. You can add a nice touch to your kitchen by replacing these little odds and ends with new ones. However, you don’t have to go out and buy flashy replacements; if you want to add a rustic touch, why not look for jars and tins from yesteryear?

10)  The sky’s the limit! If you’re a bit pushed for space, check out ceiling pan-hangers. You can decorate them to add a touch of farmhouse chic and they make a great talking point. On top of that, they’ll give you that extra space you’ve been looking for.